The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-14
MONEY OF INSANE PATIENTS.
Phil Gapens Impatient Desire to Get Hold Of
81 900 Held by Ex-Supt. Fletcher.

1t seems to be Phil Gapen's opinion, and it is
no doubt identical with that of Dr. Harrison,
that the trustees of the Insane Hospital the
proper persons to care for the cash that patients
may bring with them, or have sent to them at
the institution. This money has been in charge
of the superintendent and Gapen since DIR.
Fletcher turned that Office over to DIR. Galbraith.
He has been exercised because the retiring
superintendent did not at settle with
the trustees for the patients money
in his case In explaining this matter DR..
Fletcher very clearly shows that the trustees
using it to reflect on his honesty. The Doc
tor says they never made formal demand on
him for the money. DR.. Galbrath came to him
a week saying that he wanted to settle &C
counts. II told him." continued DR.. Fletcher,
that had not time to examine the books and
the checks, the only record have, and that had
written the trustees that 1 could do this.
which would be- within ten days, / would settle
In full All l desire is to fix the amount correct
ly, and without doing that do not think would
be acting in a business-like manner"
In the meantime Gapen wrote TO the Attorney
general. intimating that DIR. Fletcher had be-
trayed important trust. in that ne had failed
and refused to pay over between 81, 800 and
$1,000 belonging to the patients" He wanted to
know If the trustees could bring suit for recov-
cry. But Gapen did not state that this ST. 900 or
less rapresen ted the money credited to the fe-
male patients, while there was only $l2 to the
credit of the male patients. He perhaps could
have explained the reason for this great differ
in cash coming into the ex superintendents
hands from the two departments.
DR.. Fletcher, since the trustees are so anx-
ious for litigation. will no doubt accommodate
them. as he said yesterday: "Since this action OF
the in threatening suit and their refusal
to answer my letter and demand for payment for
personal property used by them. which as the
record will show they agreed to purchase I
will submit the whole matter to my attorney
for future action" Gapen is laying great stress
on his statement that the patients are needing
their money and cannot get it. DR.. Fletcher
says emphatically that this is not true. Before
leaving the institution" he continued 81 told
Miss Smith. who keeps the property record that
in any patient desired his money he could
have it at once by calling or sending to me. and
/ am ready 20 do that now. During my service
in the hospital over $430, 600 passed through my
hands and have not heard of any complaint or
error. and there shall be none now. 1t is
ious that all the money accounted for on the
property book Except in four instances) belongs
to women. can't understand it. The
must neither have money nor friends. or those
who receive them fail TO find it,
Gapen yesterday was somewhat exercised
not finding the Attorney general in his
office. That official was in Jeffersonville look
ing after the cases against Jack Howard The
Insane Hospital trustees he intimated. wanted
to know the law in regard to the patients
money, and he thought there could be found
some statute that would give the trustees the
right to take charge of IL.